“One afternoon, as I sat in my chamber, diligently engaged in my work, a clamor slowly arose among the children in the adjacent room. The longer it endured, the more it gained in strength, and I, adhering to my customary habit, remained quiet. At length, Rosine sent for me and implored me to calm down. I did so, but it vexed me to such a degree (a matter I could well have refrained from) that I fell ill on the spot and had to tend to my bed for several days. My customary bodily pains, which are familiar to me in moments of vexation and inclement weather, beset me fiercely, and I endured great suffering.
Apart from this, I am in excellent spirits and often find myself at a loss for how to pass the time due to sheer idleness. Some time ago, a whimsical notion took hold of me; I wished to ascertain whether it might indeed be possible, should I throw myself heartily upon my bed, to fall entirely through it. I attempted the feat, and to my great delight, I succeeded in breaking through. For this recklessness, our lady of the house, quite justifiably, grew somewhat displeased.”
– Friedrich to Johan Ludvig Lund